Mechanical stoker.



E. MCCOVNNELL. MECHANICAL sTuKE. (,'Application led June 3, 1902.)

2 Sheets-Sheet I.

NMS N Wztnees y Patented out. 2|, |902.

E. MccoNNELL.

MECHANICAL STOKER.

(Application med June 3, 1902.|

(No Model.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

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Inventar."l www on. u, c.

m: ohms Pnzns co., sumo-Umb.. wnsumcr AUNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.'

ELLICOTT MCCONNELL, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

MECHANICAL sToKER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 711,669, dated October21, 1902.

Application tied :rete 3,1902. sentito. 110,025. (No man.)

To all whom it may concern.; l

Beit known that I, ELLIooTT'McCoNNELL, acitizen of the United States,residing in the borough of Brooklymcity of New York,county of Kings,andState of New York,have invented a new and useful Improvement inMechanical Stokers, of which the following is a full, clear, and exactdescription, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, whichform a part of this specification.

Myinvention relates to mechanical stokers. It is particularly adapted toapplication to the fire-box of a locomotive, although it is applicablewith equaladvantage to a stationary boiler.

One of the difficulties incidental to mechanical stoking is to secure aneven and uniform distribution of the fuel over the grate-V surface.

. The object of my invention is to effect an even distribution ofcoalover the entire gratesurface. This I accomplish by such aconstruction and arrangement of an underfeed stoker that the coal willbe uniformly distributed along the longitudinal center line of theYgrate and thence spread out over the grate and toward the sides thereofin a layer of substantially uniform thickness.

The invention consists of the combination,

with the grate, of a reciprocating fuel retort,`

' nately cover and uncover the same in the reciprocating movement of thetrough.

The invention also consists in a special arrangement of the deflectorsas to location and relative size, in a special construction of saiddei'lectors, and in details of construction and arrangement.

In the drawings,Figure 1 is a side elevation of a locomotive with myinvention applied. Fig. 2 is longitudinal section, showing in detail thebottom of the lire-box, Stoker, and hopper. Fig. 3 is a plan view ofFig. 2. Fig. 4 is asection on line 4 4 of Fig. 2. Figs. 5, 6, and 7 aresections ou line 5 5 of Fig. 4,

showing the different positions assumed by one of the pivoted-deiectorsat different positions of the Stoker. Y

A is the fire-box of a locomotive; X', the boiler. The grate of the ire-box is composed of two sets of grate-bars B B, said grate-bars beingshown as extending transversely and 'the two sets extendinglongitudinally of the Iire-box and separated by an open space.

.The inner end of each trausversely-extending grate-bar rests in abearing in one of the longitudinally-extending bearing-bars Y Y, whilethe other end rests ,in a bearing in one of the longitudinally extendingbars Z Z.

These bearing-bars are each secured to the mud-ring M of the fire-box bymeans of bolts m.

Secured to the bearing-bars Y Yare a plurality of brackets y, whichextend below the bearing-bars. c represents rollers rotatable inbearings in the lower ends of oppositelylocated brackets y. v l

C is a trough or conveyor, of steel, castiron, or other suitablematerial, of greater length than the length of the fire-box or thelongitudinaldimensions of the grate-surface,

said trough 'resting on the rollers c. The bearing-bars Y Y are providedwith recesses extending throughout their entire length of ya depthsubstantially equal to the thickness` of the side members of the trough,and the larly hinged at its base to the foot-plate, so

as to be capable of yfolding outwardly and downwardly. Any fuel-supplydevice may be substituted for the hopper.

Extending between and through the bear ing-bars Y Y are a plurality ofshafts e, having secured thereto, between the bearing- Vbars,`deflectorsE, extending normally down into the trough C. Embracing and secured ICOto the outer ends of said shafts, outside of the bearing-bars, are armsF, resting upon stops f, secured to the outside of the bearingbars. grepresents lugs secured to the outside of the bearing-bars, and Grepresents springs, one end of each spring being secured to Said arm Fand the other end to said lug g. The deflectors E are thus free to swingforwardly and upwardly, except so far as they are restrained bythesprings G; but they are prevented from swinging backwardly beyond thevertical position by the engagement of arms F against stops f'.

Secured near the rear end of the trough and overhanging the same is afiat plate K, preferably toothed, as shown.

I have provided the following means for reciprocating the trough CSecured to a cross tie L of the locomotive is a motor H. This motorconsists of a cylinder and piston and valve-gear of any ordinaryconstruction, the same being driven by steam from the boiler or bycompressed air from the brake system. The piston-rod 72, is attached toa lug c'.

The operation of the Stoker constructed as I have described is asfollows: Normally the parts are in the positions shown in Figs. l to 5,inclusive. The plate K is immediately back of the mouth of the hopper,and the defiectors E hang vertically, permitting coal to be depositedinto the trough. Steam or air being admitted to the cylinder of motorI'I, the trough or conveyer C reciprocates. The initial movement is aforward one, causing the coal to be carried forward, and theforwardlymoving plate crushes or breaks any large masses or lumps ofcoal that may be lodged in the mouth of the hopper. The backwardmovement of the trough uncovers the mouth of the hopper and permitsanother charge of coal to be deposited into the trough. At eachsuccessive forward movement of the trough the contained coal is carrriedforward and a fresh supply of coal is received from the hopper until thetrough is illed throughout its entire length. The deliectors E areactuated in the following manner: In the forward movement of the troughthe forwardly-moving coal pushes the deflectors forwardly and upwardlyon their pivots. (See Fig. 6.) On the return stroke the deectors swingin the opposite direction-z'. e., downward and backward, (see Fig.7)-being urged in that direction bythe return movement of the coal andfurther constrained by the springs G. The detlectors cannot swing backbeyond a vertical position, as their movement is stopped by theengagement of arms F with stops j.

By the described operation a portion of the coal contained in the troughis lifted and deposited on the grate-surface either in front of orbehind the respective deectors during both the forward and backwardmovement of the trough.

The location and size of the defiectors will depend upon the particulardesign of the locomotive to which the stoker is applied and will alsodepend upon the dimensions of the trough and the distance thereof belowthe grate surface. Ordinarily, however, if the deliectors are of uniformsize and uniformly distributed beneath the grate surface the tendencywill be to Vdistribute the coal unequally and discharge an excessivequantity of coal ovel` the portionof the grate-surface farthest from thehopper. I find that I can obviate this by placing the dedectors oflarger dimensions nearer the hopperend of the stoker. Thus the defiectornearest to the hopper is shown as substan tially longer than thedeflector farthest from the hopper, while the intermediate deflector ordeflectors is shown as of an intermediate length. Thus the tendency tobank up the coal at the front of the grate is counteracted by thedecreased feeding capacity of that end of the Stoker. The deflectOrnearest the throat of the hopper besides acting as a fnel-distributerperforms also the specific purpose of a gate, as it prevents the coal onthe return stroke from being drawn back under the mouth of the hopper,which would prevent a fresh charge of coal falling into the conveyer ortrough.

Having now fully described Inyinvention,`

what I claim, and desire to protect by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a mechanical stoker, the combination, with the grate, of afuel-retort beneath the grate, means for reciprocating the fuel-retort,fuel-distributing devices within the retort, and means to introduce fuelto the retort.

2. In a mechanical Stoker, the combination, with the grate, of aconveyer beneath the grate, means for reciprocating the conveyer,deflectors within the conveyer adapted to swing on stationary pivots,and means to introduce fuel to the conveyer.

3. In a mechanical stoker, the combination, with the grate, of afuel-retort beneath the grate,means for reciprocating the fuel-retort,fuel-distributing devices within the retort but not movable therewith,and means to introduce fuel to the retort.

4. A mechanical stoker consisting of a reciprocatory fuelcontainingtrough, and deflectors within the trough adapted to swing on stationarypivots.

5. In a mechanical Stoker, the combination, with the grate, of afuel-retort beneath the grate, means for reciprocating the fuel-retort,movable fuel-distributing devices within the retort but notreciprocating therewith, and means to introduce fuel to the retort.

6. A mechanical Stoker consisting of a reciprocatoryfuel-containingtrough, deiiectors within the trough adapted to swing on stationarypivots, and a hopper at one end of the trough, the deflector nearest thehopper being substantially larger than the deflector most remote fromthe hopper.

7. A mechanical stoker consisting of a reciprocatory fuel-containingtrough, and deflectors within the trough adapted to swing on stationarypivots, and a hopper at one end of the trough, the defiector nearest thehopper being substantially larger than the deflector most remote fromthe hopper, and the IOC IIO

intermediate delector or detlectors being of- 9. In a mechanical stoker,the combination,`

with the grate, of a fuel-containing trough having fioor and sides andopen at the top and located beneath the grate, means for reciprocatingthe trough, means to introduce fuel into the trough at one end thereof,and a deiiector or gate, within the trough, but not movable therewith,adjacent to that end of the grate nearest the fuel-supply end of thetrough.

10. In a mechanical stoker,the combination, with the grate, of aconveyer beneath the grate, means for reciprocating the conveyer, meansto introduce fuel into the conveyer at one end thereof, and a gatewithin the conveyer adjacentV to that end of the grate nearest to thefuel-supply end of the conveyer, said gate being adapted to swing on astationary pivot.

11. A mechanical stoker consisting of a reciprocatory f nel-containin gtrough, deflectors within the trough adapted to swing on stationarypivots, said defiectors occupying a normally vertical position, andtension devices tending to restore said deflectors to their normal orvertical position.

12. A mechanical Stoker consisting of a reciprocatory fuel-containingtrough, deflectors within the trough adapted to swing on stationarypivots, and stops adapted to limit the movement of said deiiectors inone direction.

13. A mechanical stoker consisting of areciprocatory fuel-containingtrough, deiiectors within the trough adapted to swing on stationarypivots, said deflectors occupying a normally vertical position, tensiondevices tending to restore said del'lectors to their normal position,and stopsy adapted to limit the movement of said deflectors in onedirection.

14. In a mechanical stoker,the combination, with the grate, of twobearing-bars, spaced apart, beneath the grate, afuel-containing troughhaving floor and sides and open at the top and located beneath saidbearing-bars, means for reciprocating the trough, fuel-distributingdevices Within the trough but not movable therewith, and means tointroduce fuel to the trough.

15. In amechanical stoker,the combination, with the grate, of twobearing-bars, spaced apart, beneath the grate, a fuel-containing troughhaving floor and sides and open at the top and located beneath saidhearing-bars, the inner walls of the bearing-bars and the inner sidewalls of the trough being substantially coincident, means forreciprocating the trough,fuel-distributing devices within the trough butnot movable therewith, and means tointrod'uce fuel to the trough.

16. A mechanical stoker consisting of two stationary bearing-bars,spaced apart, a fuelcontaining trough having floor and sides and open atthe top and located beneath said bearing-bars, means for reciprocatingthe trough, and fuel-distributing deflectors attached to saidbearing-bars.

17. A mechanical stoker consisting of two stationary bearing-bars,spaced apart, brackets depending therefrom, rollers sustained in saidbrackets, a fuel-containing trough having floor and sides and open atthe top and resting on said rollers, and means to reciprocate thetrough.

1S. A mechanical stoker stationary bearing-bars, spaced apart, bracketsdepending therefrom, rollers sustained in said brackets, afuel-containing trough having iioor and sides and open at the top andresting on said rollers, fuel-distributing deflectors attached to saidbearing-bars, and means to reciprocate the-trough.

19. A mechanical stoker consisting of two consisting of two v stationarybearing-bars, spaced apart, a conveyer beneath said bearing-bars, meansfor reciprocating the conveyer, a shaft extending between saidbearing-bars, said shaft carrying a fuel-distributing deflector withinthe conveyer and an arm outside thereof, and a stop adapted to engagesaid arm and thus limit the movement of said detlector in one direction.

20. A mechanical Stoker consisting of two stationary bearing-bars,spaced apart, a conveyer beneath said bearing-bars, means forreciprocating the con veyer, a shaft extending between saidbearing-bars, said shaft carry- IOO ing a fuel-distributing deectorwithin the conveyer and an arm outside thereof, a stop adapted to engagesaid arm and thus limit the movement of said dei-lector in onedirection, and a tension device secured to one of said bearing-bars andtending to swing said deiiector in one direction.

21. A mechanical stoker consisting of two stationary bearing-bars,spaced apart, a conveyer beneath said bearing-bars, means forreciprocating the con veyer, a shaft extending between saidbearing-bars, said shaft carrying a fueldistributing deliector withinthe conveyer and an arm outside thereof, a stop adapted to engage saidarm and thus limit the movement of said defiector in one direction,brackets depending from said bearing-bars, and rollers sustained in saidbrackets, said conveyer resting on said rollers.

In testimony of which invention I have hereu nto set my hand, atPhiladelphia, on this 2 7 th day of May, 1902.

ELLICOTT. MCCONNELL.

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